LOCAL: Bracken, Cibolo, Garden Ridge, Schertz, Selma, December 2013

www.salocallowdown.com

Santa’s Ranch bringing holiday cheer pg. 09 Drive-thru winter wonderland located off I-35 North

bracken

Vol. 1, Issue 6

What's

INSIDE your community

local commentary pg. 03 SUSAN YERKES

cibolo

garden ridge

COMMUNITY NEWS

schertz

Selma

12/2013

Operation Grinch

targeting holiday hooligans Joint effort by Metrocom police focuses on crime prevention

pg. 14 BUY: Fashion Affair Business specializes in affordable-chic women’s wear, accessories

by will wright

pg. 15 eat: The Cupcake Diva

Baked delights include several varieties of cupcakes and more

fantastic deals

coupons INSIDE Discover the city through LOCAL deals from restaurants, retailers and services in your community, and save money while you do it! pg. 18

L

IVE OAK – You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch.

Every holiday season, there are lots of them out there – preying upon open and unlocked cars filled with Christmas presents.

Those thefts of holiday gifts for loved ones – purchased at area malls and retail outlets – wind up in the hands of strangers.

That’s why last year the Live Oak, Selma and Universal City police departments hatched Operation Grinch, a concentrated effort to end car burglaries at The Forum at Olympia Parkway and other high-

Grinch continues on pg. 12

As some Interstate 35 businesses rejoice, others packing up pg. 04 Access opens to The Forum, but FM 3009 remains unfinished

2

december 2013

Financial Resolutions For the New Year About 45% of Americans usually make New Year’s resolutions, according to a survey from the University of Scranton. But the same survey shows that only 8% of us actually keep our resolutions. Perhaps this low success rate isn’t such a tragedy when our resolutions involve things like losing a little weight or learning a foreign language. But when we make financial resolutions — resolutions that, if achieved, could significantly help us in our pursuit of our important long-term goals — it’s clearly worthwhile to make every effort to follow through.

So, what sorts of financial resolutions might you consider? Here are a few possibilities:

• Boost your contributions to your retirement plans. Each year, try to put in a little more to your IRA and your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plans. These tax-advantaged accounts are good options for your retirement savings strategy.

• Reduce your debts. It’s not always easy to reduce your debts, but make it a goal to finish 2014 with a smaller debt load than you had going into the new year.

The lower your monthly debt payments, the more money you’ll have to invest for retirement, college for your children (or grandchildren) and other important objectives.

• Build your emergency fund. Work on building an “emergency fund” containing six to 12 months’ worth of living expenses, with the money held in a liquid account that offers a high degree of preservation of principal. Without such a fund, you might be forced to dip into your long-term investments to pay for emergencies, such as a new furnace, a major car repair, and so on.

You might not be able to finish creating your emergency fund in one year, but contribute as much as you can afford.

• Plan for your protection needs. If you don’t already have the proper amounts of life and disability insurance in place, put it on your “To Do” list for 2014. Also, if you haven’t taken steps to protect yourself from the considerable costs of long-term care, such as an extended nursing home stay, consult with your financial professional, who can suggest the appropriate protection or investment vehicles. You may never need such care, but that’s a chance you may not want to take — and the longer you wait, the more expensive your protection options may become.

• Don’t overreact to market volatility. Too many people head to the investment “sidelines” during market downturns. But if you’re not invested, then you miss any potential market gains— and the biggest gains are often realized at the early stages of the rally.

• Focus on the long term. You can probably check your investment balance online, which means you can do it every day, or even several times a day — but should you? If you’re following a strategy that’s appropriate for your needs, goals, risk tolerance and time horizon, you’re already doing what you should be doing in the long run. So there’s no need to stress yourself over the short-term movements that show up in your investment statements.

Do whatever you can to turn these New Year’s resolutions into realities. Your efforts could pay off well beyond 2014.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

From the editor wwright@salocallowdown.com

President Harold J. Lees Publisher Gregg Rosenfield Assoc. Publisher Rick Upton Editorial Executive Editor Thomas Edwards Managing Editor Will Wright News Staff Collette Orquiz Contributing Writers Miranda Koerner, Eric Moreno, Travis E. Poling, Gianna Rendon, Arthur Schechter and Susan Yerkes ART Creative Director Richard Fisher Jr. Contributing Photographers Joshua Michael Advertising Advertising Director Shelly Talamantez Account Managers Michelle Moon and Dawn Radick Controller Gerard “Jerry” Sulaica READER SERVICE Mailing Address 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 SA, TX 78229 Fax Phone (210) 338.8842 (210) 616.9677 Advertising Inquiries rupton@salocallowdown.com Story Ideas tips@salocallowdown.com Website www.salocallowdown.com LOCAL Community News publications Zone 1: 78204, 78205, 78209, 78210, 78212, 78215 Zone 2: 78213, 78230, 78231, 78248, 78249 Zone 3: 78216, 78232, 78247

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Zone 4: 78109, 78148, 78233, 78239 For advertising, customer service or editorial, please call us at 210-338-8842 or write to us at: Local Community News 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 San Antonio, TX 78229 Reproduction in whole or in part without our permission is prohibited, 2013 Helen Publishing, LLC and Local Community News, LLC, all rights reserved.

Two 2014 wishes for the Metrocom s all of us

A

celebrate the joys of the holiday season, it’s time to give thanks for the past year and cast an eye toward 2014. We’d like to see progress in two major areas next year.

Perhaps the biggest local concern is Interstate 35 construction, which Texas Department of Transportation officials say is on track to be completed by next spring. While it’s the price of progress, the project seems to have no end in sight.

In its blogs and updates, TxDOT has maintained it hopes for the best while cautioning against the worst. And because of Mother Nature and other issues, Metrocom drivers and businesses have seen more of the latter than the former. In this issue, LOCAL addresses concerns of the FM 3009 area, where monthly deadlines have been pushed back since summer.

While the project is nearing completion near Loop 1604 and The Forum – which has endured ramp closures and detours since January – there’s much left to do further north. Hopefully it will come in time to save those businesses in the Schertz construction zone.

Nationally, it’s time to get something – anything – done in Washington D.C. October’s 16-day government shutdown affected countless area families – including those of military and civilian staffers – and delayed benefits for veterans, seniors and others in need.

A budget-accord proposal, crafted by Republican Rep. Paul Ryan and Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, will cut $23 billion from the national debt over the next 10 years and avoid another budget war for the next two years. The House voted to approve the measure on Dec. 12, and the Senate seemed prone to follow suit the week of Dec. 16.

At least that’s promising. Resolutions of both issues will give Metrocom cities and residents a chance for continued success in 2014.

Will Wright Managing Editor facebook.com/salocalcommunitynews

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salocallowdown.com

local commentary

Plastic — it’s in the bag by susan yerkes

T

he holiday season is upon us. It’s the shopping-est time of the year.

And whether we’re buying groceries for festive holiday gatherings, or gifts for friends far and wide, there’s one thing the bulk of our purchases have in common: We’ll carry them out of the store in plastic bags.

Americans use more than 100 billion plastic shopping bags a year, most of them the thin, single-use type that come in handy for groceries and sundry shopping. Some folks reuse them – they’re especially good for scooping up cat litter or dog poop – before trashing them.

But useful as they may be, they still end up in landfills or blow down the road as urban tumbleweeds, getting stuck in trees or hedges and creating trash-jams in lakes, creeks and rivers. Unlike their free-range namesakes,

these tumbleweeds can take up to 1,000 years to decay. In addition, it requires at least 12 million barrels of oil a year to manufacture all those bags. And it takes a lot of money to clean up the mess. In San Antonio alone, officials estimate the city spends about $1.3 million a year cleaning up and recycling plastic bags.

The bags are back in the news these days, ever since District 7 Councilman Cris Medina recently put forward a proposal to ban the bags in most grocery and retail stores. You can expect a lot of discussion in the next couple of months, before the City Council votes on the idea.

Medina is not the first to suggest a ban to help curb the plastic bag build-up. In the past decade, as plastic waste kept piling up, legislation aimed at fixing the bag mess was introduced at local, state and national levels.

Back in 2010, Washington, D.C., implemented what some folks call a “backdoor bag ban” – a law requiring shoppers to pay 5 cents each time they need a recyclable plastic bag. The action was spurred by a disgraceful plastic pile-up in the Anacostia River — which flows through the nation’s capital. This past spring, veteran Virginia congressman Jim Moran introduced a national bill modeled on the D.C. law.

This issue isn’t going to go away.

In the past few years, many Texas leaders have gotten on the bag-ban bandwagon.

Back in 2009, when environmentalists were beginning to sound the alarm about the plastic pileup, state Sen. Leticia Van De Putte of San Antonio filed a fairly mild bill in the Texas lege to require businesses that routinely bagged purchases in plastic to at least provide reusable bags.

Brownsville passed the first municipal bag ban in the state. South Padre Island passed a ban, as did El Paso. Austin passed a bag ban last year, and Dallas and Houston leaders are currently considering the issue.

San Antonio took a step toward at least curtailing bag use in 2011 with a voluntary “Change Is In the Bag” program with H-E-B, Target, Walgreens, JCPenney and Walmart. The stores encouraged recyclable bag use, and set up collection points where single-use bags could be left for recycling.

Unfortunately, the program was a bust.

As long as plastic bags are free and easy to get, folks keep using them. They sure are convenient, after all. It may take something like a bag ban to get people to actually make a dent in plastic-bag proliferation.

There’s been some blowback on the bag bans, too. This spring, state Rep. Drew Springer, riding the Ted Cruz/tea party wave, filed a

“Shopping Bag Freedom Act” bill that would have banned cities from banning plastic bags.

This is Texas, after all.

We love the land, but we’ll be damned if we’re going to let somebody else, especially the government, tell us how to take care of it.

One of these days, when I’m out on the freeway (or the toll road), I fully expect to see a bumper sticker that reads: “You can have my plastic bag when you pry it out of my cold, dead hands.”

In the meantime, happy holidays!

Email comments to syerkes@ salocallowdown.com

4

december 2013

I-35 continues from pg. 01

TxDOT, Schertz businesses clash over construction by will wright

S

CHERTZ – As retailers in The Forum at Olympia Parkway celebrated the reopening of three major entrances from Interstate 35 into the shopping center, owners of businesses near FM 3009 are thinking of packing their bags – frustrated after months of reduced customer traffic resulting from the I-35 expansion project.

It hasn’t been smooth sailing for Texas Department of Transportation’s $24 million endeavor to add main lanes, flyovers and revisions to entrance and exit ramps through a 6-mile stretch from Judson Road in San Antonio to 3009 in Schertz. Progress on the project, which began in October 2012, slowed because of design issues, inclement weather and shifting resources.

Completing work around The Forum came at a cost to 3009-area businesses, suffering through months of delays and changing construction priorities, said Schertz Chamber of Commerce president Maggie Titterington.

“The deadlines there have came and went – from July, August, September and October – and I was told (various) reasons for the delays,” she said. “After I learned the contractor had incentives to put his manpower at The Forum, I fully expected that manpower would shift back to 3009. First I was told it would happen immediately, and then that it would by the second week of December. I’ve had enough.”

On Nov. 27, TxDOT and area officials heralded the reopening of exit ramps to Forum and Olympia parkways – both closed since January – and a new bridge at Forum Parkway. As of Dec. 6, flyovers linking Loop 1604 onto I-35 were also nearing completion, ending months of detours.

“We understand that it’s frustrating to see a project like this move around quite a bit,” TxDOT spokesman Josh Donat said.

“The contractor is executing the contract according to plan and we’re happy with the hard work that has been done.”

Donat said design flaws near The Forum required correction, which some

T

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Cars line up to merge onto the now-completed northbound access road onto Interstate 35 and Forum Parkway. Photo by Josh Michael

believe delayed the entire project.

“It definitely impacted the schedule of operations there,” he said. “We needed review a design issue and found a fix for it by reconfiguring our traffic-control plan. It took a while to consider several different options that were presented to us, and that was the biggest

issue. I can’t really say how long (it took).”

Spurred by incentives to finish that stage of the project before the holidays, the primary contractor, Dan Williams Co., shifted resources further south – and work screeched to a halt

I-35 continues on pg. 11

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december 2013

LOCAL LOWDOWN Take a quick look at what’s new in the community from opening and closings to news tidbits.

Open and Opening Soon FASHION AFFAIR, 6051 FM 3009, Suite 246 in Schertz, offers women’s, juniors and plus-size clothing, along with purses, jewelry, scarves and anything else a woman might want. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon-5 p.m. on Sunday.

For more, call 236-5406 or visit Facebook/ FashionAffair.Schertz. (See story, page 14) THE CUPCAKE DIVA, 304 FM 78 in Schertz, is a full-dessert bakery offering red velvet cupcakes and other items, with catering services available. Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. For more, call 566-4401 or visit thecupcakediva1/ Facebook. (See story, page 15) LASER LEGEND, 7505 N. Loop 1604 East,

Suite 101 in Live Oak, offers laser tag, an Italian bistro, miniature golf and an arcade in an environment that brings the video-game experience to life. Open 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4-10 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday. For more, call 444-9025 or visit www.lasertag-sanantonio.com.

RE/MAX CORRIDOR, 17156 Interstate 35 North in Schertz, is a full-service real estate office featuring residential, commercial and property-management services and representation for buying, selling or building properties. Open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. For more, call 659-6700 or visit www.remax-corridor-tx.com.

PROVIDENCE TITLE COMPANY OF TEXAS, 3900 FM 3009, Suite 105 in

Schertz, has relocated to its new offices, offering residential and commercial-title services in the tri-county area. For more, call 447-3750 or visit www.protitletx.com.

IN OTHER NEWS LIONS FC SOCCER OBSERVES CANCER AWARENESS – The Schertz Lions FC girls soccer program sold T-shirts and hosted the San Antonio Scorpions soccer team in a Breast Cancer Awareness event held at

the FC club team’s soccer park on Oct. 24.

Hundreds of players from 98 teams and their parents donned pink shirts during the Paint Pride event, which raised hundreds of dollars for breast-cancer survivors.

SCHERTZ RATED AMONG SAFEST CITIES – Schertz was recently named No.

28 on a list of the 50 safest cities in Texas

by Safewise, a home security company.

Safewise used statistics compiled from FBI and U.S. crime data for municipalities containing 20,000 or more residents in 2011. Kerrville, ranked No. 42, was the only other area city listed. “It is very satisfying to be ranked amongst the safest cities in Texas,” Mayor Michael Carpenter said. “We did not achieve this by accident . . . (The) Police Department, as well as our Marshal Service, Fire Department, EMS, the Schertz Citizen’s Patrol and the many neighborhood watch programs throughout the city made this happen, together, over time.”

UNIVERSAL CITY, SCHERTZ, CIBOLO ON MOST-AFFORDABLE LIST – Three

Metrocom cities were recently included

in the list of “Most Affordable Suburbs in America,” compiled by Movoto, a national real estate blog. Analysis of 139 suburbs near the 50 largest communities in the country ranked Universal City No. 7, Schertz No. 8 and Cibolo No. 10. Movoto based its overall rankings on cost of living, food and utilities, affordable housing, property-tax rates, sales-tax rates and state income tax rates – which Texas doesn’t have. Universal City’s standing came as a result of a home price to income ratio of 2.27-to-1, the blog stated, with a median home price of $129,000 and median household income of $56,812. Schertz’s rankings below national averages in food and utilities costs, 16 percent and 11 percent respectively, earned a spot next to Universal City. Movoto said Schertz has a median home price of $161,000 and median household income of $65,650. Cibolo, with a median home price of $167,100 and household income of $70,183, was also touted. Movoto said the city’s food costs are 16 percent below the national average; utility costs 11 percent under the national standard, and a home affordability ratio of 2.38-to-1. Details are at www.movoto.com.

Fashion Affair women’s boutique (left) recently opened in Schertz. Laser Legend in Live Oak (below) features games and an in-house pizzeria. Photos by Josh Michael

T’s FABULOUS HAIR STUDIO, 100 Schertz

Parkway, Suite A in Schertz, is a full-service salon that offers a variety of multicultural hair stylings, with apparel, jewelry and accessories available. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. For more, call 314-5895 or 2377528, or visit RoyalHairStudio/Facebook.

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salocallowdown.com

COMAL RECOUNT DOESN’T CHANGE OUTCOMES – The results didn’t change

after a court-ordered recount of Comal County votes from the Nov. 5 election, where mechanical and man-made errors failed to include 2,200 ballots. The Comal County Elections Board was charged with tallying votes from the races for Schertz City Council, the Cibolo Creek Municipal Authority and the Comal Independent School District’s $451 million bond issue. Comal County Clerk Joy Streater supervised the recount of the 16,000 ballots on Nov. 21-22. It reaffirmed candidates Daryl John (Place 3), Cedric Edwards (Place 4) and Matthew Duke (Place 5) won their seats on the Schertz council, which is spread over Comal, Bexar and Guadalupe counties. Figures in Comal County, which has the fewest Schertz residents of the three counties, increased by just 17 votes after the recount. Place 3 saw six additional votes, Place 4 tacked on five and Place 5 had six added to the previously canvassed returns.

Schertz residents Bert Crawford and Earl Hartzog witnessed the recount.

Crawford, who ran against John in Place 3, said he was satisfied with the outcome.

“As an observer of this recount for 15

hours and 15 minutes, I am confident the recount is correct and the vote discrepancy in Place 3 ballots cast in Comal County has been acknowledged and explained to me,” Crawford said.

Hartzog, a former Schertz councilman, said the recount was long, but necessary.

“I am confident that the recount gave us the correct vote numbers,” he said. “We were there from 8:30 in the morning to 11:45 in the evening and saw them download all the voting machines and count ballots,” he said. John, Edwards and Duke were sworn in during the Nov. 19 Schertz City Council meeting.

The revised results didn’t affect other local races. CCMA voters re-elected unopposed incumbents Richard Braud in Place 3 and Bobby Greaves in Place 5, with Jake Jacobs defeating challenger J.C. Dufresne in Place 4. CISD’s bond issue failed, with 6,134 votes cast for the measure and 7,202 against.

CISD HIRES AUDITOR OF 2008 BOND PROJECTS – Comal Independent School

District trustees on Nov. 21 hired ACC Consulting Inc. of San Antonio to conduct a certified construction audit for the 2008 bond program. Estimated cost of the audit

will be $200,000. Helen Keaton, Comal ISD executive director of construction and facilities, told the board soon after her arrival to the district in March, she began an internal review of construction documents surrounding the 2008 bond program. Findings spurred her to request the outside, formal audit. “My initial findings showed duplication of job costs and fees,” she said, estimating the total amount to be between $5 million and $7 million. She also said similar discrepancies could show up through an audit of the district’s 2005 bond program.

Andrew Kim, superintendent of Comal ISD, emphasized the importance of using an outside auditor to “validate this information so that in time we will have an official report to give you.”

COMAL ISD STAR BOWLERS IN ACTION – A season’s worth of training

culminated in Comal ISD’s STAR, or Specialized Training in Athletics and Recreation, Sports Program Bowling Competition, held Nov. 4 at Fiesta Lanes in New Braunfels. More than 110

Lowdown continues on pg. 09

1/15/14

8

december 2013 OUR GUIDE TO YOUR MONTH

Happening LOCAL

Plan your month with our calendar of upcoming events in the community.

this

month

GRUENE HALL EVENTS – Texas’ oldest dance hall,

Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Road in New Braunfels, features live music during the year. Most shows are free Monday through Thursday evenings, and afternoons on Saturday and Sunday. Friday and Saturday evenings are generally ticketed or cover shows.

Upcoming performers include: The Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison Holiday Shindig on Dec. 20; Reckless Kelly on Dec. 21; Cory Morrow on Dec. 27; Roger Creager on Dec. 28 and the Casey Donahew Band on Dec. 29. Kevin Fowler will help ring in 2014 on New Year’s Eve. Advance tickets are recommended.

On New Year’s Day, there will be free, live shows all day. For band schedule and availability, call (830) 606-1601 or (830) 629-5077 or visit www.gruenehall. com or www.holidaysingruene.com.

dec

21-22

COWBOY KRINGLE IN GRUENE – Cowboy Kringle –

Gruene’s own brand of Santa – will be featured for photos with the kids in the breezeway between Gruene General Store and The Grapevine, 1610 and 1612 Hunter Road in New Braunfels.

Packages will be available for purchase.

For more, call (830) 606-1601 or (830) 629-5077 or visit www.gruenehall. com or www.holidaysingruene.com.

dec

24

TRIUMPHANT LUTHERAN SERVICES – Triumphant

Lutheran Church, 21315 Bat Cave Road in Garden Ridge, will conduct Candlelight Christmas Services at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. For more, call 651-9090 or visit www.triumphantlutheran.org.

dec

24

CIBOLO VALLEY BAPTIST CELEBRATION – Cibolo Valley

Baptist Church, 5500 FM 1103, is inviting everyone to its Christmas Eve Celebration and Lord’s Supper, beginning at 4 p.m. For more, call 658-0525.

in

january

SCHERTZ CHAMBER EVENTS – The Schertz

Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly luncheon at 11:30 a.m.

Jan. 21 at the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Parkway. Chamber president Maggie Titterington will give the “State of the Chamber” address. Attendees must RSVP the Chamber by Jan. 14. The Chamber’s January mixer will be held at a site and time to be determined. The Schertz Chamber Toastmasters meet at the Comfort Inn & Suites meeting room, 5571 Interstate 35 North in Selma, each Monday at 6:45 p.m. All meetings are open to the public. Chamber offices will be closed for the holidays Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1. For more, call 5669000 or visit www.schertzchamber.org.

jan

4

AREA GRID STARS IN ALLSTAR GAME – High school

football players from north San Antonio and Metrocom communities will compete in the San Antonio Sports All Star Football Game. The event, presented

by H-E-B, will showcase top local talent following the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in the Alamodome. The opener will pit the best U.S. players in a nationally televised contest at noon, with the local stars taking the field at 5 p.m. The local all-star game will feature players who have committed to play for some of the top universities in the country, as well

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jan

17

FINANCIAL TIPS FOR SENIORS – New Braunfels

Chapter 672 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association and the Comal County Senior Citizens’ Foundation are presenting a financial seminar for senior citizens from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Comal County Senior Citizen’s Center, 655 Landa St. in New Braunfels. Hal Holtman, a certified public accountant with Holtman Wagner & Co.

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HEALTH AND WHOLENESS FAIR – Sponsored by the

city of Schertz, the Schertz Chamber of Commerce and presented by Pawderosa Ranch Doggie Play and Stay, the second annual Health and Wholeness Fair is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Parkway. The event will cover all aspects of health wholeness: nutritional, physical, mental and spiritual.

More than 55 vendor booths have been sold, with a capacity of 70 available. Vendors will offer free health screenings such as blood pressure, glucose testing, vision screenings, body mass index, cholesterol checks and calculate the risk for stroke and heart attack. For more, call 566-9000.

ON THE HORIZON WILENCHIK WALK FOR LIFE march – The city of Schertz will host

1

the Wilenchik Walk for Life on March 1, 2014. The event, held annually in memory of former Councilman Tony Wilenchik, will feature a 5K competitive fun run and a noncompetitive 5K walk along Schertz Parkway. All proceeds will be donated to the University of Texas Health Science Cancer Therapy and Research Center in San Antonio. Registration information and a photo slideshow of the 2013 event are available at www.visitschertz.com.

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as those seeking an additional chance to impress recruiters. Players were nominated by their high school coaches and chosen by a selection committee. Johnson High School’s Ron Rittimann will coach the East team, with Daryl Hemphill, from Stevens High School, coaching the West squad.

Area players slated to play for the East include: DL Zach Wright (New Braunfels); OL Brady Melde and OL Izaiha Ramirez (Canyon); QB Garrett Smith, TE-WR Joseph Barsalou and DB Shane Piatnik, (Smithson Valley); TE-WR Andre Wilson and DB Brendon Clemons (Judson), and OL Greg Hardaway (Wagner). Also, QB Hunter Rittimann, OL James Rast and LB Jerod Vick (Johnson); TE-WR Ashten Glenn (MacArthur); QB Cody Ennis, TE-WR Byron Daniels and DL C.J. Reese (Madison); TE-WR Kash Knudson and FB-RB Marshall Young (Reagan); C Roger Hoffman and DL Tim Johnson (Roosevelt); LB Jacob Ferguson (Clemens); TE-WR Matthew Moen, FB-RB Justin Stockton and DL Joshua Malin (Steele).

Tickets to the doubleheader are available at the Alamodome box office and Ticketmaster.com for $13 (general admission) and $26 (reserved). One ticket will serve as admission to both games.

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salocallowdown.com Lowdown continues from pg. 07 students from six middle and high schools participated in the event, and all earned medals presented by firefighters from the New Braunfels Fire Department. To open the ceremony, the national anthem was played, and Canyon Lake High School’s Army Junior ROTC unit presented the colors. “We couldn’t have done this without our volunteers,” said Terry Werchan of Comal ISD’s STAR Sports Program. “For the first time we had student-volunteers from all three of Comal ISD’s comprehensive high schools. I just don’t know how we’d do it without them.” star athletes celebrated their bowling victories at the Winter Dance at Canyon Lake High School on Dec. 6. The STAR sports season will culminate with a track and field meet at Canyon High School near the end of the school year.

COMAL ISD HONORS VETS – Campuses

across the Comal Independent School District celebrated and honored veterans with ceremonies during Veterans Day on Nov. 11. At Canyon High School, the Clear Spring Elementary School choir, led by music teacher Sue Ann Studdard, waved red, white

and blue flags while singing a collection of patriotic songs. Canyon’s Junior ROTC unit performed a POW/MIA presentation in which Canyon band trumpets sounded taps. Guest speaker, Army Col. Vickie Tuten, spoke to a student-filled gym and gave credit to U.S. troops worldwide.

“I’d like you to keep in your thought the veterans who are overseas protecting this country right now,” Tuten said. “I’d also like you to remember all those who have died while serving and protecting us.”

Canyon High Junior ROTC cadet Matthew Marrou said it was a very emotional ceremony.

“To me, this is a time to show respect to all of those veterans who have fallen in the line of duty,” Marrou said. “It’s also a time to honor those who are far away from home today in the field of battle.”

CISD SEEKING BUS DRIVERS – The Comal

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A million lights illuminate attractions in mile-long oval by miranda koerner

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displays they’d feature if they had their own park. It stayed but a dream, until the land for Santa’s Ranch became available.

The wonderland located at 9561 Interstate 35 North in New Braunfels, one mile south of San Marcos on the southbound I-35 frontage road, features more than 1 million lights and 100 displays, many animated. In front, a 50-foot Christmas tree greets guests with season’s greetings, making the attraction between Posey Road and York Creek Road hard to miss.

According to Bass, many families have made the trip an annual tradition for the past 11 years. The displays are changed each Christmas at the venue, which opened this year on Nov. 1 and will remain open, rain or shine, until Jan. 4. Cost is $28 per car; $56 for season tickets.

Bass’ longtime friend, Tammy Sales, said her family has been coming to Santa’s Ranch since it opened.

“It’s never the same,” she said. “It’s a tradition that needs to be done every single year. Every piece has a meaning, like Santa floating down the Guadalupe River. It’s hilarious. There’s a pickup out

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Ranch continues from pg. 09 there that’s covered with lights and it’s my son’s favorite. It looks like a monster truck, which cracks me up – knowing it used to be Melanie’s sister’s truck.”

The winding oval trail is a little more than a mile long and takes 30 minutes to traverse. While the wait varies, weekends can be crowded and the delay more than an hour. Favorite attractions include the Golden Gate Bridge, the Ten Commandments, the Alamo and a ski lift children really like, according to Bass.

“There are some inflatable displays, but no particular style or theme,” she said.

For the Basses, it’s all about celebrating the season.

“For us, it’s still that magical moment,” she said. “Every time we go through the park, we get the feeling of Christmas all over again. It’s inspired a lot of people.

the park at 5 a.m. so they could propose to their girlfriend,” Frank Bass laughed.

“So, we got up early to open it up so he could ask her. They wanted the whole park to themselves. That was pretty neat.”

The Basses don’t keep track of the number of visitors to Santa’s Ranch or how far they traveled. Melanie Bass said the couple begins planning next year’s displays shortly after Christmas and spends all year setting it up.

“It’s not about the money for us,” she said. “It’s about creating and sharing.

The Lord led us to this spot and to do this. We’re just happy to share the joy of Christmas with others.”

Sales said her children look forward to driving through Santa’s Ranch every year, particularly to compare the displays from the past.

“My daughter loves the manger scene,” Sales said. “Since our kids are getting older now, they’re connecting the stories we’ve told them to the light displays. The whole

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Even if you don’t know the story of Christmas, the lights are wonderful.”

“We hope they see the true meaning behind Christmas,” added Frank Bass. “I want families to make it a tradition. There’s a nostalgic atmosphere when you drive through.”

The couple’s favorite part is the love their lights have inspired.

“We have a lot of couples get engaged or married at the park,” Melanie Bass said.

“Someone once asked us to open

thing is just magical. When you roll your window down you can hear all the music and it’s like a tunnel going through a bridge and you come down a hill and it’s all there.

You get that twinkle in your eye and it’s a wonderland of light. It’s amazing.”

No buses are allowed and visitors are asked to stay in their vehicles. At the ticket booth, hot chocolate and flavored peanuts are sold.

The park is open 6-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 6-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more, visit www.santasranch.net.

11

salocallowdown.com

I-35 continues from pg. 04

The Texas Department of Transportation has pledged more workers and machinery to swiftly complete construction at the FM 3009 overpass in Schertz. Photo by Josh Michael

on the 3009 intersection. Now, Schertz retailers are begging for the same kind of acceleration to finish work on their end.

However, for some, it may come too late. Local Community News has learned at least five businesses are in peril of closing or moving. CBQ Eatery owner Chuck Stanley said he’s vacating his leased space at Tri-County Crossing, located in the 17300 block of I-35 South.

Stanley isn’t blaming construction alone for the weakening of his business, which opened in 2010 and enjoyed brisk sales until March. Since, he said his business has declined between 40 and 50 percent.

Titterington said she was upset TxDOT didn’t inform 3009 business owners about the decision shifting resources to The Forum.

“I don’t begrudge the businesses at The Forum,” she said. “It’s a huge tax base for Selma and Live Oak and closing 1604 to I-35 needed to be rectified, but I wasn’t told at the beginning that the focus would be on getting The Forum ready in time for Thanksgiving.

“Now, I want the same focus brought to 3009.”

Both 3009 turnaround lanes remain unfinished, including the critical north-to-south turnaround leading to the southbound access road.

That has hampered access into TriCounty Crossing, owned by Alpha Properties, now marketing vacancies at CBQ Eatery and a suite formerly occupied

by Planet Beach Tanning Salon.

“The small, local businesses that don’t have the staying power of a Walmart or Lowe’s often find their requests falling on deaf ears, as was apparent by TxDOT’s reaction to our requests for a status report on the turnaround lane construction

at I-35 and 3009,” said Jason Dixon, Alpha Properties’ managing partner.

Dixon said the decision switching attention from 3009 to The Forum was “poor planning and management.”

Donat said he and other TxDOT officials have met weekly with Titterington, plus civic and state administrators. During a Dec. 4 meeting, he said they were informed Dec. 20 would be the new target date for completing the north-to-south 3009 turnaround and reconfiguration of the northbound exit lanes.

Donat said finishing that work would depend on weather conditions, as pouring concrete won’t set in sustained temperatures under 40 degrees and asphalt can’t be laid below 55 degrees.

“If we don’t get above those temperatures, we’re going to be in a bit of a jam,” he said.

Guadalupe County commissioners approved a resolution encouraging swift completion of 3009 construction, and District 25 State Sen. Donna Campbell sent a letter to TxDOT urging the same.

However, completion of the entire intersection – including the southto-northbound turnaround lane and expanding the northbound 3009 exit ramp – could be months away, which might drive other area businesses into seeking new locations.

“With the promises of the two projects being done by August, coupled by the start of the school year, it became a domino effect on my business,” Stanley said. “You can’t blame anybody, you just have to accept what it is and deal with it – and find a way to survive.”

For project updates, visit www.txdot.gov or www.txdotsanantonio.blogspot.com.

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Grinch continues from pg. 01

Live Oak, Selma, Universal City cops taking bite out of holiday crimes

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traffic shopping areas in their cities.

Representatives from the three departments gathered at The Forum on Nov. 26 to unveil an expanded version of the successful program. The event came complete with a Grinch-like character trying to break into cars for holiday goodies – before his eventual arrest by a vigilant police officer.

Although law enforcement officials and security guards do their best to thwart holiday crimes, Live Oak Police Chief Ken Evans emphasized residents can do their part by not giving criminals enticing opportunities. Leaving gifts in plain view, especially in unlocked cars,

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Live Oak Police Officer David Prieto slaps the handcuffs on The Grinch, who was nabbed trying to break into cars during a recent skit at The Forum at Olympia Parkway. Photo by Josh Michael

create such circumstances, and police aren’t always around to prevent them.

“Across the nation there are a lot of police departments putting together programs to address the whole crime-prevention thing during the holidays,” Evans said. “It’s always a struggle, but the reality is that people go out shopping and spend a lot of money they don’t usually spend during the year, and it presents an opportunity for criminals.

We’re trying to partner with the community in order to get them to understand that.”

This year’s Operation Grinch kicked off on Black Friday, Nov. 29, and will

december 2013

run through New Year’s weekend, Evans said. There will be more police-vehicle patrols, more on-duty and off-duty police officers and additional detectives.

Officers from the three jurisdictions – Live Oak police will be at The Forum and Gateway shopping areas, Selma’s will be on alert at Academy Sports and Outdoors and Costco adjacent to The Forum, with Universal City’s manning the perimeter behind The Forum – will be looking to bust criminals, not only in those areas, but in the other main shopping areas in their communities.

“This year we’re expanding the program to our major shopping areas throughout all of the communities,” Evans said.

“You’ll see extra resources out there – plainclothes policemen, bicycle patrols, you name it, they’ll be out there.”

Evans said there were two burglaries of businesses and seven vehicle burglaries at or near The Forum in 2011. Last year there were five vehicle burglaries and no business burglaries reported.

“While we’re a smaller community, we’d like to think of that as progress,” he said. “In smaller communities, people tend to think that crimes aren’t going to happen to them. While we believe our areas are safe places to shop, the reality is that crime happens everywhere.”

Live Oak Assistant City Manager Scott Wayman said safety is everyone’s priority, especially during the holiday season.

“When you’re out shopping, the No. 1 thing is that you want to feel safe,” Wayman said. “When (The Forum) was built, it was one of the largest open-air shopping centers in Texas. You’re going to have problems in large shopping areas like this, but I really think that our officers, in this combined group, really make an effort to make our shoppers feel safe out here.”

Christina Arseneau, senior property manager at The Forum, said the program not only promotes shoppers’ safety, but also encourages them to obey traffic laws.

“We had some really great results after they started it last year,” she said. “People got the word that police would be out here patrolling. We have our off-duty officers (as security) and the stores have them as well.

“Selma and Live Oak (officers) will be enforcing traffic laws, such as speeding and wearing seat belts, on Agora Parkway. They’re going to be on the lookout for all of that, as well as people trying to break into cars and everything else of a criminal nature.”

Evans said the program’s goal is to keep all such incidents to a minimum.

“From Thanksgiving to Christmas, that’s what we’re trying to achieve, to minimize the number of victims coming out here,” he said.

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BUY LOCAL

Learn more about newest purveyors of goods and services in your area.

Fashion Affair offers boutique chic at bargain prices

by Eric Moreno

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CHERTZ – Legendary designer Coco Chanel once said, “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street; fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

Kelly Reed, owner and operator of Fashion Affair at 6051 FM 3009, echoes those sentiments. Reed said she and her husband, Jerry, noticed an underserved population in the area when it came to fashion retail.

In November they turned their dream into reality by opening Fashion Affair.

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plus sizes,” Reed said. “Look like a million bucks without spending it.”

Their goal is bringing the boutique experience – one in which the small shop offers high-quality and fashionable merchandise – to residents along the Interstate 35 corridor.

“We love our location and our neighbors have been great; that is

helping us do what we wanted to do with this store,” Reed said. “We are able to keep costs down and prices down. We are a boutique experience without the high price tags.”

The store also carries jewelry and accessories such as purses, headbands and scarves, as well as handmade decorative pieces including pottery and wall art.

“Our current top sellers are our scarves and headbands,” Reed said. “Also popular are our cardigans with bows on the back, and our ‘Merry Christmas Ya’ll’ shopping and multipurpose bags.”

Fashion Affair is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Furniture, decorative knickknacks, pottery and wall art are affordably priced at Fashion Affair, which also offers a variety of women’s clothing and accessories. Photos by Josh Michael

FASHION AFFAIR 6051 FM 3009, Suite 246 For more, call 236-5406 or visit Facebook/FashionAffair.Schertz.

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EAT LOCAL

Learn about the newest neighborhood places for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks.

Owner hopes customers like recipe for The Cupcake Diva

by Eric Moreno

S

CHERTZ – Taking a friend’s suggestion, Harriett Hamilton started a business destined to become The Cupcake Diva, located at 304 FM 78.

“A friend of mine told me that I should make my own cupcakes instead of her making them for me,” Hamilton said.

“So, I started working on my own recipes and giving them out and it grew.”

As she began to do her research before starting out, Hamilton noticed a bakery offering made-from-scratch goods would be a good fit for the area.

“We not only sell cupcakes, but we also sell breads, Cinny rolls, pies, cakes, brownies and more,” she said.

Prior to opening The Cupcake Diva in November, Hamilton, who inherited

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her love of baking from a grandmother who owned a café in Mississippi, had been donating her baked goods.

Now, cupcakes such as My Red Velvet, Sweet Potato and Choc Choc Chip Cookie Dough are flying off the shelves, she said.

“I feel the reason cupcakes are so popular is because (bakers) do so much more with them these days,” Hamilton said. “We decorate them with cute

and fun designs. I make what I call ‘Big Girl’ cupcakes, for when ladies want to get together with their friends for a girls’ night out or other occasions. For Christmas, we are doing a (cupcake) that would be great for parties.”

Hamilton said she could think of no better place than her hometown to open her store.

“It’s on the main way between Randolph (Air Force Base), Schertz, Cibolo and Marion,” she said. “It’s where I grew up and where I live – and many of my friends do, too. I wanted to give back to my community.”

The Cupcake Diva is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

My Red Velvet cupcakes and holiday gingerbread men are flying off the shelves at The Cupcake Diva. Photos by Josh Michael

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december 2013

Live LOCAL From real estate trends and neighborhood listings to home improvement, we’ve got you covered.

Recent

SA housing prices recovered fastest in Texas

PROPERTY LISTINGS

October median prices mostly flat in 1-35 corridor communities

Street Address

by Travis e. poling

T

he housing market in the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area has recovered faster than anywhere else in the state and October statistics showed houses selling for more money and faster than last year.

The number of homes sold in the San Antonio area in October was up 11 percent to 1,839 compared to the same month last year and a 33 percent leap from October two years ago. The houses sold this October spent an average of 69 days on the market, according to an analysis of Multiple Listing Service data by the San Antonio Board of Realtors.

“All year we have seen prices and sales of homes show year-over-year increases, demonstrating San Antonio’s economic strength,” SABOR Chairman Steven Gragg said. “Jobs are being added, interest rates remain low and both buyers and sellers are able Steven Gragg, to find success SABOR Chairman in this market.”

Available inventory hit a low of 4.4 months of housing supply for sale. That tightening

both buyers and sellers are able to find success in this market

helped drive prices up and the average home price in October rose 6 percent to $205,680, according to SABOR. The median price also was up 6 percent to $168,800.

A statewide analysis from Homes. com found that the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area was the first in the state to fully recover price declines incurred during the recession. The Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan statistical area recovered second fastest, followed

by Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos.

In the 78108 ZIP code, the median sales price was down by just $1,000 to $180,000 while the number of closed went up by nine to 43 for October compared to the same month last year, according to data from the Texas Market Trends Report.

The median sold price in the 78132 area was up 7.7 percent to $323,305 for the month, and the number of closed sales dipped by six to 27 for the month. Months’ supply of inventory rose to 8.5 months compared to 5.4 months last October.

The median sales price was mostly flat in the 78154 area with a decline of less than 1 percent to $163,000, and closed sales rose by 13 to 51 for the month.

In the 78266 ZIP code, the median sales price rocketed 144.9 percent to $538,750. Closed sales, however, were down considerably with only four sales compared to 11 last October.

zip codes: 78108, 78132, 78154, 78266

List Price

SQ. FT.

Year Built

BR

FB

ZIP

540 Marilyn Dr

$85,000

1,672

1975

3

2

78154

130 Dobie Blvd

$96,000

975

1990

3

1

78108

117 Cibolo Tolle

$97,500

1,665

1999

3

2

78108

106 Sweetgum Ln

$126,500

1,792

1988

4

2

78108

433 Hinge Loop

$133,700

3,152

2006

3

2

78108

174 Spice Oak Ln

$135,000

1,282

1999

3

2

78108

3705 Broughton

$139,900

1,829

1985

3

2

78154

16510 Retama Crown

$144,900

1,608

2006

3

2

78154

260 Willow Bluff

$157,500

2,661

2007

4

3

78108

1673 Rolling Brook Ln

$159,900

1,675

2002

3

2

78154

Merry Christm 3513 Treeline Acres

$174,900

2,668

2008

4

3

78154

236 Willow Br

$175,000

2,038

2007

4

2

78108

Real Estate LOCAL Trends ZIP Code

78108

78132

78154

78266

Merry Christmas Median sold price New listings

Average days on market Closed sales

Under contract Months supply of inventory

oct-12

$181,000

$300,250

$163,015

$220,000

oct-13

$180,000

$323,305

$162,000

$538,750

Oct-12

51

36

40

10

oct-13

79

65

51

16

oct-12

100

131

93

113

oct-13

98

134

66

112

oct-12

34

33

38

11

oct-13

43

27

51

4

oct-12

30

34

41

6

oct-13

52

22

35

7

oct-12

5.5

5.4

4.1

4.9

oct-13

5.3

8.5

2.7

11.8

Source: San Antonio Board of Realtors: Texas Market Trends report The properties are new listings put on the market from Nov. 22-Dec. 10. The properties may no longer be on the market by publication date or prices may have changed.

Local Community News assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

D IN AGE AtE LOC VILL E1NF m 2 2 5 2 k C BRA1 8 7 7

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9:30-7Pm mon-SaT. 9:30-6Pm Sun.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

www.jordanford.com

13010 IH 35 N (at Pat Booker Road) San Antonio, TX 78233

4204 gardendale Ste. 201 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78229

Service M - F 7am-7pm Sat. 7am-5pm Closed Sunday